Netball: Diamonds still looking for elusive point

Anna Scarlett

Diamonds coach Sue Hawkins said focusing for "four lots of 15 minutes" is the aim for her side in today's crucial match against the Magic in Auckland.

The Diamonds need to beat or at least secure a bonus point against the competition leaders to keep their semifinal hopes alive.

With just two rounds remaining, time is running out for the Diamonds, who blew a golden opportunity to at least secure a bonus point against the Sting last weekend.

The Diamonds matched the Sting for three-quarters of the game but lost focus in the final quarter which saw the score blow out to 10 goals in the Sting's favour, something they cannot afford to let happen today.

"If you lose focus for one second that is where you are going to come - second," Hawkins said.

"It only takes a couple of seconds in our game to have a couple of goals scored against you. We will be looking for 15-minute hit-outs physically and mentally."

For the Diamonds to win, shooters Maria Tutaia and Jo Morrison will need to be on target, while defensively they will have to stem the flow into Magic shooter Irene van Dyk.

"We are certainly looking to close off their attacking end by getting our hands over the ball and making it hard on them," she said.

"Even though we have to watch out for Irene [van Dyk] we can't underestimate [goal attack] Tanya [Lund]. She is a very competent young girl. She has no fear. She doesn't know anyone. She is just playing, which is often what new players do in this league."

The game does provide several interesting match-ups. Magic defenders Casey Williams and Joline Henry square off against Tutaia and Morrison while at the other end the Magic's van Dyk and Lund face Anna Scarlett and Stephanie Bond.

Scarlett was part of the Otago Rebels, the only team to beat the Magic last year. Scarlett was the key component in the Rebels' success, managing to shut down van Dyk. Hawkins felt her defenders were not given a fair go by the umpires last weekend and is hoping for a more free-flowing game today.

Scarlet, especially, does tend to get penalised a lot in some games. "It is like they have an interpretation that Anna tries to intimidate and get away with things whereas she is trying to be very disciplined, that is her main focus.

"It is just frustrating. That [the umpiring] is going to be an influence in the game, but it is not going to determine the game."

The midcourt could be an area where the Magic may have an edge, boasting considerably more experience than the Diamonds.

In other matches this weekend the Force, in third place but also battling to stay in the top four, should have too much experience and power for the Rebels at home on Sunday. It's likely to be a similar story in the capital, where the improving Shakers will have their work cut out against the Sting.

National Bank Cup
Round six

Today: Auckland Waitakere Diamonds v Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic, Waitakere Stadium, 4pm, live on TV One.

Tomorrow: Northern Force v Otago Rebels, North Shore, live One, Capital Shakers v Southern Sting, Wellington, both games 1pm.